In season 6, episode 9 of The Chi, audiences watch as Nina explains to her daughter why she and Dre are no longer together. Dre was still in love with her ex, and they couldn’t be together anymore.
However, since the couple’s break-up, Dre, played by Miriam A. Hyman has been absent from the Showtime series, which has left fans puzzled. There have also been no on-screen explanations or farewells, leaving a noticeable void in The Chi’s narrative.
Dre’s role in The Chi
Dre, portrayed by Miriam A. Hyman, was introduced in the third season of The Chi and quickly became a significant character . She is the loving and supportive wife of Nina and a stepmother to Nina’s children, Keisha and Kevin and also a high school counselor.
Dre’s character was central to several storylines, particularly those involving family dynamics and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the community. In an interview with CBS News, Hyman pointed out how happy she was taking on the role of Dre and the importance of representation:
“I am 100 percent in support of the LGBTQ community, so for me it was like ‘wow, this is a great opportunity to show that representation matters’ and I don’t mean only from a woman’s perspective, but a black woman’s perspective and also a black woman who is playing a woman who happens to be lesbian.”
Her portrayal added depth and authenticity to the series, earning admiration from both fans and critics.
The mystery of Dre’s disappearance
Speculation grew when Hyman’s name was no longer listed in the cast credits and she wiped all The Chi-related posts from her Instagram account. The omission further raised questions about whether Dre had been written off the show entirely, or if there were behind-the-scenes reasons for the change. Hyman’s decision to delete her former posts might be the nail in the coffin that Dre may be gone for good.
Potential reasons for Dre’s exit from The Chi
There are several reasons why a character may be written off a show. While The Chi showrunners and production team have yet to confirm Dre’s exit, fans have been searching for reasons for the character’s absence. Some fans speculate that Dre’s departure could be a creative decision by the show’s writers and producers to take the story in a new direction. Hyman is also a musician, and could have departed to focus more on her personal art, especially her record label, Truth Teller Productions.
Another very possible reason is the actress’s availability. Actors frequently juggle multiple projects, and scheduling conflicts can arise. Miriam A. Hyman currently has a professional commitment to another show— Power Book IV: Force, where she stars as Assistant US Attorney Stacey Marks.
This may make it challenging for her to continue her role in The Chi, which could lead to Dre being written out or recast. Many fans have expressed disappointment, as Dre’s character was a positive representation of a strong, loving LGBTQ+ family. Others remain hopeful that the character might return in future seasons, perhaps with an explanation for her absence.